1 week Ago By [email protected] (James Rodger, Tom Kershaw)
Holidaymakers heading to France could face significant delays as the country plans to implement additional checks at its Schengen borders. The popular European destination has informed the European Union of its intention to reintroduce checks at its Schengen borders with neighbouring countries. France has revealed plans to bring back police checks at its borders with six Schengen zone neighbours: Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy.
These intensified checks will commence on Friday, November 1, and are set to last for six months, with the potential for extension starting April 1st, according to The Local. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated that the checks are being reinstated due to "serious threats to public order and domestic security posed by high-level terrorist activities. He championed the return of border checks while on a visit with prime minister Michel Barnier to the town of Menton, close to the Italian border, on Friday.
READ MORE Two police officers 'caught having sex in stations and cars' resign This will be the first time that widespread checks on all its borders have been imposed since the creation of the Schengen zone in 1995. Since 2011 several countries have imposed extra controls on their Schengen borders due to fears over clandestine migration. The checks will be conducted sporadically, rather than for every traveller - and the EU specifies that although a country may reintroduce checks if it feels this is necessary, the checks must be " He advocated for the return of border checks during a visit with Prime Minister Michel Barnier to the town of Menton, near the Italian border, on Friday.
The introduction of extensive border checks for the first time since the inception of the Schengen area in 1995 is set to occur, marking a significant shift away from the usual freedom of movement. Although some nations have implemented additional controls on their Schengen perimeters since 2011 due to concerns regarding clandestine immigration, the upcoming inspections will be conducted intermittently instead of subjecting every individual to scrutiny. EU guidelines stipulate that while member states are permitted to reinstate checks for security reasons, these measures need to be "proportionate and limited to the minimum time necessary to ensure safety".
Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden expressed his reservations about the move in an interview with RTL news, revealing discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and voiced his disapproval, mentioning he had "clearly said that this is not a good idea", reports Birmingham Live ..
